News
Friends remember Bishop McFadden as ‘kind of priest every priest should be’
Bishop Joseph P. McFadden will be mourned in Harrisburg, the diocese he led for almost three years. He will also certainly be mourned in Philadelphia, the archdiocese where he spent the first 63 years of his life. Joe McFadden didn’t enter the seminary straight from St. Thomas More High; instead he earned his degree at […]
In his final moments, Bishop McFadden graced by sacrament, recalled people of diocese
Death came swiftly and silently for Bishop Joseph P. McFadden on the early morning of May 2, but it did not catch him spiritually unawares. "Would you please give me absolution?” the bishop asked a priest friend in his car as they drove to the hospital. “He’s a Godly man and he wants the sacraments of the Church,” Msgr. Joseph Garvin thought. He said the prayer of absolution and made the sign of the cross. Bishop McFadden blessed himself. Very shortly after, the bishop slumped over.
Bishop Joseph McFadden of Harrisburg, Philadelphia native, dies suddenly at 65
UPDATED -- Bishop Joseph P. McFadden, a Philadelphia native and the bishop of Harrisburg, Pa., died suddenly in his hometown Thursday morning, May 2. Friends and associates of Bishop McFadden reflected on the man they knew and loved.
Looking back on the full life of Bishop McFadden
(The following biography of Bishop Joseph McFadden was originally published Aug. 19, 2010 in The Catholic Standard and Times, the former newspaper of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia.) Coincidences? Call it the plan of God; almost everything happens for a purpose. This should be perfectly clear to Bishop Joseph P. McFadden as he leaves Philadelphia to […]
Catholics, Buddhists must work together to defend life, cardinal says
VATICAN CITY (CNS) — Catholics and Buddhists share “a profound reverence for life,” which should motivate them to work together to protect human life, including the life of the unborn, said Cardinal Jean-Louis Tauran, president of the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue. “It is urgent for both Buddhists and Christians, on the basis of the […]
Pope Francis welcomes retired Pope Benedict back to Vatican
VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- For the first time in history, the Vatican is home to a pope and a retired pope. Pope Francis welcomed his predecessor, retired Pope Benedict XVI, to the Vatican May 2 outside the convent remodeled for the 86-year-old retired pontiff and five aides. Pope Francis and Pope Benedict entered the convent's chapel together "for a brief moment of prayer," said Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman.
Detroit Archdiocese to sell 4 buildings, move administrative offices
DETROIT (CNS) -- The Archdiocese of Detroit announced it has sold four buildings in or close to downtown Detroit and will relocate its administrative offices sometime next year to another building downtown where it will be the anchor tenant. Proceeds from the sales will net the archdiocese $3.2 million, the archdiocese said in an April 30 press release. The archdiocese added the funds will be used for repairs and maintenance on other properties.
Archbishop Chaput shocked, deeply saddened by Bishop McFadden’s death
Statement of Archbishop Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap., on the death of Harrisburg Bishop Joseph P. McFadden: I was shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of Bishop Joseph McFadden of the Diocese of Harrisburg. I am grateful that I had the opportunity to be with him over the last few days at the Annual Spring Meeting of the Pennsylvania Bishops and spend time in conversation with him.
Emergency contraceptive OK’d for 15-year-old girls; bishops call FDA irresponsible
WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The Food and Drug Administration "acted irresponsibly" with its decision to lower the age limit from 17 to 15 for purchasing an over-the-counter emergency contraceptive, said an official of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
Helen Alvare to speak on women, religious freedom in Year of Faith talk
Is the freedom of women and freedom of religion a matter of clash or collaboration? Helen Alvare will argue they are not mutually exclusive concepts and are more relevant than ever, during a talk Tuesday, May 14 at St. Charles Borromeo Seminary’s Vianney Hall, Wynnewood.